Bombshell Pac-12 option following Colorado departure floated

The Pac-12 departure of Colorado football could ultimately be the death knell for the conference — or, rather, it could be what pushes it to form a superconference with the Mountain West according to The Palm Beach Post’s Tom D’Angelo.

“The question now is not who’s out there to join the Pac-12, but who will be left,” D’Angelo prefaced before saying, “What appeal is there to joining as league that includes Oregon State, Washington State, Cal and Stanford? The Pac-12s only option might be merging with the Mountain West. Let’s put it this way, if the Pac-12 were a stock, it would be LifeWallet.” D’Angelo believes the Pac-12 is in shambles due to the overpromising from George Kliavkoff and exodus of the Buffaloes to the Big 12 happening one after the other.

“The Pac-12 is teetering after a series of missteps by Kliavkoff,” D’Angelo prefaced before saying, “It seems each time Kliavkoff paints a rosy picture, someone tosses a gallon of paint on the canvass. The latest, touting solidarity in the Pac-12 – “Our schools are committed to each other and to the Pac-12” – and blaming “misreporting” on possible defections … then losing Colorado that same week.”

The Mountain West conference can buoy the remainder of Pac-12 after USC, UCLA, and Colorado football departures

The bottom tier of the Pac-12, in terms of on-field performance, fan attendance/interest, etc., is not that much more high and mighty than the top teams from the Mountain West. In fact, San Diego State and Boise State may be more recognizable brands than Cal or Oregon State at this point.

With USC and UCLA gone, San Diego State, San Jose State, and Fresno State provide more depth to the Pac-12 from their headquarters state; even if the incoming schools would be no match for the ones leaving from an interest standpoint. Colorado State and Air Force get the state of Colorado back in the conference, and a Mountain West merger would bring the Pac-12 to the state of Nevada and the Las Vegas market, as well as Idaho, New Mexico, and Wyoming, plus Utah with USU if the Utes leave.

It’s unclear if the Pac-12 retains Power Five status or if all these Mountain West teams gain it following this potential realignment. But D’Angelo’s suggestion is the way forward for the conference Colorado football is leaving behind.